Seth MacFarlane won’t host the Oscars

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Seth MacFarlane is too busy to host the Oscars in 2014. The multitalented comedian says on Twitter that he ‘‘tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep.’’ MacFarlane, the creator of “Family Guy,” said in his tweet Monday that Academy Awards producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are among the best in the business. Zadan and Meron produced this year’s Oscar show, which earned higher ratings among coveted younger viewers, and will be returning for the 2014 telecast. MacFarlane earned mixed reviews for his outing as Oscars host in February, with some finding his material sexist and anti-Semitic.

Honor for Streisand

A leading Israeli university says it will present Barbra Streisand with an honorary doctorate when she visits Israel next month. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said Monday it was granting the singer the degree because of her concern for human rights and dedication to Israel and the Jewish people. Streisand, 71, is expected to perform at a June conference in honor of the 90th birthday of Israeli President Shimon Peres. She will also appear in two public concerts. It will be the first time the Jewish singer performs in Israel. The university’s school of Jewish studies is named after Strei­sand’s father, Emanuel.

Rare ‘Potter’ copy for sale

A first edition copy of ‘‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’’ that contains author J.K. Rowling’s notes and original illustrations is going on sale in a charity auction. The personal annotations from Rowling included comments on the process of writing and a section from an early draft of the novel. They also included a note on how the best-selling author came to invent the game of ‘‘Quidditch.’’ Tuesday’s auction at Sotheby’s London will also include other personalized books including Kazuo Ishiguro’s ‘‘The Remains of the Day’’ and Yann Martel’s ‘‘Life of Pi.’’ Sotheby’s said Monday the funds raised will benefit the English PEN writers’ association.

NBC hires news chief

NBC has gone out of the company and out of the country to find a president for its news division. The network said Monday that Deborah Turness, former editor of ITV News in Britain, will run the news division. Turness replaces Steve Capus, who resigned this year, and will begin her new job in August. She’ll take over a news division bruised by the ‘‘Today’’ show losing its dominant position in the morning to ABC’s ‘‘Good Morning America.’’ NBC also recently canceled Brian Williams’s high-profile newsmagazine, ‘‘Rock Center,’’ after less than two years on the air.

Archie Comics takes stand

It’s just a quick kiss, but it’s a long step forward for openly gay character Kevin Keller in Archie Comics. The Riverdale teen finds his life turned upside down after locking lips with boyfriend Devon in Pop Tate’s diner, drawing the ire of at least one disapproving Riverdale mom. Veronica uploads a video of the upset mom’s reaction online, which leads to a media frenzy about how much is too much when it comes to public displays of affection. Writer Dan Parent says the story echoes a similar outcry when Keller’s wedding was the subject of a failed protest to pull copies off shelves of retail stores. He calls it a ‘‘playful poke’’ at the protest, which did nothing to deter that issue from selling out.

Woman, 87, sues Trump

An 87-year-old woman who alleges Donald Trump cheated her in a bait-and-switch scheme has told jurors she had qualms about suing the developer-turned-TV star given his power. But during testimony Monday, when asked why she took Trump to court, Jacqueline Goldberg replied, ‘‘Somebody had to stand up to him.’’ Goldberg says ‘‘The Apprentice’’ star enticed her into buying two condos at Chicago’s Trump International Hotel & Tower with an offer to share profits of the entire building. But she told jurors at the civil trial in Chicago that she felt ‘‘conned’’ when Trump later withdrew the profit-sharing plan. Testifying last week, Trump denied the allegations, telling reporters that Goldberg was trying to rip him off.

Seriously

“This is not a gimmick, and I’m an artist, and I should be taken seriously.” — Justin Bieber, pop star, who was booed while accepting the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday.